US ambassador to UN: Russia's action in Syria is "barbarism", not counter-terrorism

The United States on Sunday called Russia's action in Syria "barbarism," while Moscow's U.N. envoy said ending the war "is almost an impossible task now" as Assad and Putin forces, bombed the city of Aleppo, Reutersreports.

The United Nations Security Council met on Sunday at the request of the United States, Britain and France to discuss the escalation of fighting in Aleppo following the announcement on Thursday of an offensive by the Syrian army to retake the city.

"What Russia is sponsoring and doing is not counter-terrorism, it is barbarism," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, told the 15-member council.

"Instead of pursuing peace, Russia and Assad make war. Instead of helping get life-saving aid to civilians, Russia and Assad are bombing the humanitarian convoys, hospitals and first responders who are trying desperately to keep people alive," Power said.

Britain's U.N. ambassador, Matthew Rycroft, said on Sunday the U.S. and Russian bid to bring peace to Syria "is very, very near the end of its life and yes the Security Council needs to be ready to fulfill our responsibilities."

"The regime and Russia have instead plunged to new depths and unleashed a new hell on Aleppo," Rycroft told the council. "Russia is partnering with the Syrian regime to carry out war crimes."

"In Syria hundreds of armed groups are being armed, the territory of the country is being bombed indiscriminately and bringing peace is almost an impossible task now because of this," Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told the council.

However, Russia is one of five veto-powers on the council, along with the United States, France, Britain and China. Russia and China have protected Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government by blocking several attempts at council action.

"It is time to say who is carrying out those air strikes and who is killing civilians," Power said. "Russia holds a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council. This is a privilege and it is a responsibility. Yet in Syria and in Aleppo, Russia is abusing this historic privilege."